MPs warn universities face 'crunch time' due to Brexit and pandemic

A committee of MPs claims Scottish universities face a "crunch time'' as they deal with the impact of Brexit and coronavirus.

The Scottish Affairs Committee said some universities faced the "real prospect" of insolvency in mid-2020 before both the UK and Scottish governments stepped in to help.

The MPs said the Turing Scheme, which is replacing the Erasmus scheme for student exchanges, should be expanded to fund international students coming to the UK.

A report from the cross-party group also noted a 40% drop in EU students in the 2021-22 academic year.

Following Brexit, EU students now pay international student fees and the report said the drop is not as large as some in the sector feared.

The report recommends greater collaboration and engagement to help higher education deal with the new challenges.

It also urged the Scottish Government to consider whether further funding is needed for student mental health services.

Committee chairman Pete Wishart said: "This is a crunch time for Scottish universities and improved collaboration and engagement on reserved issues is the key to ensuring the wellbeing of our university sector.

"The reputation of Scottish universities and the research they conduct is nothing short of world class.

"But they face challenges made more difficult by Brexit and coronavirus.

"Getting the policies impacting them right will help them through this rough patch and strengthen the foundations of higher education and research."

The report also recommends reducing the cost of the Global Talent visa to attract international academics.

Mr Wishart added: "The UK Government's ambitions to make the UK a 'science superpower' will be boosted by creating a friendlier climate for students and researchers from abroad.

"They offer new ideas, new ways of thinking and enhance the cultural experience at our universities.

"To demand they pay more than 10 times as much cash as our competitors to relocate is self-defeating.

"If we are serious about maintaining competitiveness, the UK Government should introduce a new scholarship for EU staff and students, reduced visa fees, stick to its commitments on research spending and expand the Turing exchange scheme."

Reacting to the publication of the Scottish Affairs Committee report, Universities Scotland Director Alastair Sim said:

"This report highlights that the higher education sector in Scotland is one of the best in the world. It was particularly gratifying to see our response to COVID-19 being hailed by the committee as ‘nothing short of remarkable’.

"Our current status is at risk from a number of factors as highlighted in the report. The report makes clear that by working together, the UK and Scottish governments can support Scotland’s universities to drive the nation’s post-COVID recovery and renewal.

"We hope both governments take the time to respond and ensure that Scottish universities can make the most of their potential, be that on immigration policies at Westminster or sustainable funding at Holyrood. This will give Scotland’s universities the opportunity to maximise their potential and deliver for students, businesses and the community as well as bring about research that will improve lives throughout the world.

"We welcome this substantial piece of work undertaken by the Scottish Affairs Committee and their deep, meaningful engagement to understand the risks as well as opportunities that exist for universities in the coming years."

The University and College Union’s Scotland official, Mary Senior, said:

"The report makes some useful observations, especially on the shortcomings of the new Turing scheme, and the need for an immigration system which works for the university sector in Scotland.

"The report recognises that Turing is not the reciprocal exchange scheme enabling students and staff to live study or work overseas in the same way as Erasmus, and urges the UK government to address that.

"The committee is also clear that Scottish universities are global institutions, and as we approach the 30 June deadline for EU citizens living and working in the UK to ensure they have their settled status, it is timely that there are calls for the UK government to address its punitive immigration system.

"The recommendations on ensuring our immigration system is reformed so that it attracts talented people from overseas to contribute to university research and learning is a step forward, as well as the report’s acknowledgement of the unwelcoming hostile environment."

Hear the latest news on Clyde 1 on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.